Review #6: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Title: Curtis, Christopher Paul. Bud, Not Buddy. Delacorte Press. 1999. 245 pages. Tr. $14.46. ISB N 978-0-385-32306-2

Genre: Fiction/Historical Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Level: 5.5 / Grades 5-8
Awards: Coretta Scott King Author Award 2000, Newbery Medal 2000, ALA Notable Children’s Books 2000
Similar Titles: Roll of Thunder, Hear Me Cry by Mildred D Taylor, Jessie’s Mountain by Kerry Madden

 

Orphan Bud,  has dealt with the abuse of a foster family for the last time. He decides to cross the state of Michigan in any way possible to track down the man he believes to be his father, based on the few pieces of evidence his mother left him: band posters for H.E. Calloway and a handful of special rocks. During the Great Depression, an African American, ten year old boy is hardly inconspicuous and Bud knows he can trust no one. Staying in shanty towns, eating in missions, attempting to hop railroad cars through lines of armed policeman, Bud will do anything to find his father. When Bud reaches his destination he rocks the lives of every person involved and discovers a secret that no one could have anticipated that will change all their lives forever.

 In a time when African Americans were deeply prejudiced against and had limited rights to education or property, Bud’s character is refreshingly witty, well spoken, respectable, talented and good. He shows that determination, hardwork and perseverance can get you to your dreams, as long as the hardships don’t weigh you down forever and just how influencial African Americans were on popular culture. He also shows that while he may be an orphan and of a different demographic than that of his reader, his experiences transverse the divide and show relevance for every adolescent searching for meaning and their place in life.

 A great independent read, this book is definitely recommended for group discussion. So many individuals will have difference experiences with the content of this book that a higher consciousness can be attained by critical thinking and analysis in a group setting.

On a personal note, as a jazz and historical fiction enthusiast, I loved this book. The perspective of a child during the time of the Great Depression, let alone an African American orphan, was phenomenal to read. The characters are rich and  full and pop out of the page like they're standing in front of you. Relating to the character even though he is a different age, ethnicity, and familial background was no problem because of his personality and his ethics. His decisions made sense and his qualities admirable. This was probably the best surprise read I've had all semester. I highly recommend it. Just make sure you remember, it's Bud, not Buddy. *wink*